Puzzle Description:

On May 23rd 2016 something happened that shook the WEBPBN community nearly bringing it to it's knees. We were not able to make or solve puzzles and worse we were not able to communicate with each other. I kept checking in,only to be denied access. I didn't worry because we've had problems like this before only to have things rectified in a timely manner. Not everyone was as calm as me. It felt like our world was coming apart. A sweet woman from San Francisco worried and became desperate. She loves WEBPBN. She loves the puzzles and she loves the camaraderie within our community. Because I was the only one that she could remember their last name{ I was hoping it was cause I was her favourite creator} she took the time,effort and expense of calling me hoping I could give her some answers as to why we were shut down. Then Valerie posted a notice to calm our fears. This little incident just made it very clear to me just how important this site is to us and it reinforces how Valerie has dedicated herself to her husbands legacy in keeping our community alive and well. Thank you again Valerie.

#1: Norma Dee (norm0908) on May 25, 2016

When I log on to my computer, the first thing I always check is the WEBPBN site. I felt such a loss and like you, Aldege, I kept checking and hoping.

I hope by now everyone knows Valerie has our backs! And FB is our other way of communicating!

ditto all 3 :).... tough puzzle, Pal

Great tribute!

Agreed! Thank goodness for the FB page. Valerie was amazing at keeping everyone up to date.

Jan was looking down upon us. No doubt

fortunately i had norma's e-mail and contacted her, thanks norma and also checked at least once a day to see if webpbn was up and running again..thank you valerie...i'm not on FB

Thx gang. I'm sure I speak for a lot of us when I say that this site is extremely important to us. I think it was so cool to hear someone's voice from all the way from San Francisco,even though it was thru my answering machine. The only other person from WEBPBN that I have talked to on the phone is Jota and that was very special to me to be able to actually have a conversation with her. I've had some great friendships in my life but none more special than the friendship I feel for all you guys and gals even though I've never met any of you. There is a special magic going on in WEBPBN that brings people together from all over the world. Jan and now Valerie are deserving of a Noble Peace Prize for what they have done for humanity. I know this sounds like bunk to some out there,but don't discount the value of WEBPBN. :)

beautiful LL solve...after the easier parts run out there's this little trio:

- whether the black in C8R13 is part of 3 or 1 clue, C8R12 is a dot
- C9R14 can't be black, so it's a dot
- whether C9R13 is part of 5 or 2 clue, C9R12 is black

Thx David. :)

I too was lost. Thank you, Valerie, for reuniting us. I'm not on fb, so your two messages on the site were a huge reassurance. Welcome back to us all, friends.

thankyou for all your puzzles over the years, great to be back

Thx Lollipop,Susan and Helen. :)

Can't save it (seems like another glitch). Great to see friends here every day.

Thx Sgusa. :)

I think you expressed everyone's feelings beautifully! I'm still a little too disheartened to create any new puzzles myself, so I'm grateful others are still creating and we again have up-to-date comment threads (one of my favorite aspects of WEBPBN :) Thank you!

Thx Jessi. Are you upset because you lost puzzles. I lost a lot but I can't say I'm overly upset by it. I'll just try to make more and soon I'll forget about the ones lost. Try to get back to creating Jessi. Your awesome at it. :)

Amen!

Thx JT. :)

Yes, I agree! I did not know that there was a Facebook page until I saw Valerie's note. I really missed the site and the worst thing was not knowing if it would ever return. Thanks to Valerie and anyone else who worked to get it back!

Yes, I agree! I did not know that there was a Facebook page until I saw Valerie's note. I really missed the site and the worst thing was not knowing if it would ever return. Thanks to Valerie and anyone else who worked to get it back!

I was checking every day also. I'm not on FB either, so I was really glad when Valerie put up the note. I appreciate the friends here, too. Everyone is so nice to each other. I'm not very good at making puzzles, but I have tried a few times. Everyone has been thoughtful and kind about my meager efforts. I will keep trying. As you say, though, it's not just making or solving puzzles, it's the comments--making and receiving them.

Thx Jennifer. Don't worry about the quality so much Jennifer,you'll get better the more you make. Just have fun making,solving and commenting on puzzles. Interaction on this site is the best. You will make some great friends. :)

Well said, Aldege.

Is it possible getting back Valerie's favourite puzzles and important
others?

Thx Norma. :)

I'm not sure Thomas. I'm hopeful but I doubt that it is possible. I'm just relieved they were able to retrieve most of them. Originally I understood they were all lost. :)

Hi Aldege,

I'm the sweet desperate woman from San Francisco. You're not my favorite creator, but only because I don't have one. I've been astounded by the puzzles you and others create for this site, and by my own desire and ability to follow suit in a small way after solving so many...my mind has become pixillated! The down side is that I now have to check constantly for comments on my own puzzles.

Punching in tiny squares on the iPad is irksome, so I do only the 20 x 20 or smaller pbns. Got any for me?

Although I rarely post, I did miss the puzzles when the site was down and all the comments and am Happy to have it back.

Interesting solve, but I am not sure what I am looking at.

Love the conversations going on right now - how I missed this part of our community. Thanks to all who have created new puzzles and especially to Val for her hard work and dedication.

NO! THIS IS NOT THE END! WEBPBN IS BACK AND PUZZLES ARE BEING CREATED AND SOLVED AND USERS ARE COMMENTING ABOUT THEM.

ABSOLUTELY, Susan!

Hi JT. I was going to call you but Valerie posted a notice before and there wasn't much I could tell you. It was just a waiting game that we all had to wait out. I think it is so cool that WEBPBN is so important to you JT that you would make the effort to find my number hoping to get some answers. I love creating puzzles and it's even more satisfying when my friends here let me know how much they enjoy them. Over the years I have had a lot of fun making comments and poking fun at myself and others. The conversations that take place and the knowledge gained from people all over the world has been most enjoyable. I am so thankful to Valerie for her dedication to keeping us alive and well. It assures me of how much WEBPBN has meant to Jan and now Valerie. :)

Hi Derby,what you see here is the planet earth {our world coming apart}. :)

Thx Susan. :)

Yes Susan it is back and we are and will be commenting and creating again. :)

Amen

Maybe it's the world coming together!

Now that sounds good JT. :)

<3

Wow, nice one! At first sight, I thought it couldn't be solved without guessing, but then black squares begin to fit each other in an amazing way. Main point here is to find the blacks and dots on columns 8-9, rows 12-14.

Thx Avgvstvs. :)

I loved this solve...and I loved the visual. I think about Valerie and the kids. I remember Jan. I even talk to him sometimes, usually saying things along the lines of..." Jan, I hope you know this little corner of the net reverbs 'round the world...you did a good thing...thank you...I pray for those that, for now, you left behind...I miss that I cannot contact you on our site anymore...Valerie is an amazing woman...keep watching over her and the kids...." I know this could be construed as a little nutty, talking aloud to you, but then again, it comforts me. I was so numb after you died...and devastated for your family. You had become part of mine, even though we never met except through the miracle of the internet and your talent.

Agree with all the comments about the shutdown, the importance of the site, and the obviously strong community here. I didn't know about the FB page; I will look for it.

As an inveterate solver, but non-creator, I love the puzzles here and am so glad all is well, and that the site has administrators who can overcome huge difficulties.

Interesting and difficult (as always) solve, Aldege!

I love this group so much! I don't create as much as I used to, but I'm still here, solving away. These puzzles help me keep my sanity!

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